The Gurkhas: 200 Years of Service to the British Crown

Origins: The Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816)

British and Gurkha soldiers first met as enemies during the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814–1816. The fighting qualities of the Nepalese hillmen so impressed the East India Company that the Treaty of Sugauli (1816) included provisions for Gurkha recruitment into British service. The first Gurkha units — the Nasiri and Sirmoor Battalions — were raised almost immediately.

A famous anecdote captures the spirit: when a British officer asked a captured Gurkha why he had fought so fiercely, the soldier replied that he fought because he was a soldier — he would fight just as fiercely for the British if they employed him. They did.

The early recruitment centred on the western hills of Nepal, drawing particularly from the Magar and Gurung ethnic groups, later extending to the Rai, Limbu, Tamang, and Sunwar communities of eastern Nepal. The relationship between Britain and Nepal that underpins Gurkha recruitment has endured for over two centuries — one of the longest-standing military partnerships in the world.

The Kukri

The kukri (also spelled khukuri) — the iconic curved Nepalese knife — is the symbol of the Gurkhas. Far more than ceremonial, the kukri is a practical tool and a devastating close-combat weapon. The blade curves forward, concentrating force at the point of impact, making it effective for chopping, cutting, and thrusting.

Kukris issued to Gurkha soldiers are typically 12–14 inches overall, with a heavy blade, horn or wood grip, and a leather scabbard containing two smaller utility knives (the karda for skinning and cutting, and the chakmak for sharpening and striking sparks). The notch at the base of the blade (cho or kaura) has various attributed purposes — from preventing blood running onto the handle to a Hindu religious symbol — though its exact origin is debated.

For collectors, Gurkha kukris range from common 20th-century issue patterns to rare Victorian-era examples with silver-mounted hilts. The MkII pattern, issued from the 1940s onwards, is the most commonly encountered military kukri and can be found for £40–80. Earlier patterns — especially named or provenanced pieces from the Indian Mutiny or the Frontier Wars — command significantly higher prices. Provenance and age are the key value factors.

Key Campaigns

The Indian Mutiny (1857)

The Sirmoor Battalion (later 2nd Gurkha Rifles) defended Hindu Rao’s House above Delhi for over three months during the siege, losing 327 of 490 men. The house was the highest point on the ridge that commanded the British position, and its loss would have been catastrophic. The 2nd Gurkhas repelled no fewer than 26 major assaults. This action cemented the Gurkhas’ reputation within the British Army, and Queen Victoria granted the Sirmoor Battalion the unique honour of a third colour — the “Truncheon” — in recognition of their valour.

The North-West Frontier

For decades, Gurkha regiments served on the turbulent North-West Frontier of India (modern Pakistan/Afghanistan), fighting in the numerous tribal campaigns that characterised British India’s border wars. The Tirah Campaign (1897–98), the Waziristan operations, and the various Frontier risings saw Gurkha units repeatedly in action in some of the most difficult terrain on earth. Their hillcraft, endurance, and ability to operate in mountainous country made them natural frontier soldiers.

The World Wars

In World War I, over 100,000 Gurkhas served in France, Gallipoli, Palestine, and Mesopotamia. The 2/3rd Gurkha Rifles were among the first troops ashore at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. On the Western Front, Gurkha battalions served in the trenches alongside British and Indian Army units, earning respect for their courage under conditions very different from the hills they knew.

In World War II, over 250,000 Gurkhas served — the largest Gurkha mobilisation in history. They fought with distinction in all theatres:

• North Africa and Italy — 2nd and 9th Gurkha Rifles in Tunisia and the brutal fighting up the Italian peninsula, including the four battles for Monte Cassino. At Cassino, the 1/9th Gurkha Rifles fought their way onto Hangman’s Hill, within yards of the monastery, in some of the most intense close-quarter fighting of the war.
• Burma — Gurkha battalions formed the backbone of Slim’s Fourteenth Army, fighting at Imphal, Kohima, and the subsequent advance to Rangoon. At Kohima in April 1944, the 4th Battalion 1st Gurkha Rifles helped hold the critical positions around the tennis court and District Commissioner’s bungalow in what the Japanese regarded as their greatest defeat.
• Malaya and Singapore — Gurkha units were among the forces that suffered the fall of Singapore in 1942, with many enduring years in Japanese captivity.

Gurkha soldiers won 12 Victoria Crosses in the World Wars. The most famous recipient is perhaps Havildar Lachhiman Gurung VC, 4/8th Gurkha Rifles, who defended his position alone against 200 Japanese soldiers at Taungdaw, Burma, in May 1945. Despite losing his right hand to a grenade (he had caught and thrown back two grenades before the third exploded), he continued firing his rifle one-handed for four hours, killing 31 of the enemy. He survived and lived until 2010.

Post-War Service

After Indian independence in 1947, the Gurkha Brigade was split between British and Indian service under a tripartite agreement between Britain, India, and Nepal. Four regiments (2nd, 6th, 7th, and 10th Gurkha Rifles) transferred to the British Army, while the remainder joined the Indian Army. The British Brigade of Gurkhas has since served in:

• Malaya (the Emergency, 1948–60) — Gurkhas were central to the successful counter-insurgency campaign, with their jungle skills ideally suited to operations against the communist guerrillas
• Borneo (Confrontation, 1962–66) — Lance Corporal Rambahadur Limbu won the VC for his actions at the Battle of Bau in November 1965
• The Falklands (1982) — 1/7th Gurkha Rifles deployed with 5th Infantry Brigade. The Argentine surrender at Goose Green was partly attributed to fear of the approaching Gurkhas — their reputation preceded them
• Kosovo, Sierra Leone, East Timor
• Iraq and Afghanistan — 1st and 2nd Royal Gurkha Rifles deployed extensively in Helmand Province. Corporal Dipprasad Pun of the RGR fought off up to 30 Taliban fighters single-handedly in 2010, earning the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

The Gurkha Right to Settle: A Campaign for Justice

Until 2009, Gurkhas who retired before 1997 had no right to settle in the United Kingdom, despite decades of loyal service. A campaign led by actress Joanna Lumley — whose father served with the 6th Gurkha Rifles — and backed by the Gurkha Justice Campaign successfully pressured the government to extend settlement rights. The decision, announced in May 2009, was widely celebrated and led to several thousand retired Gurkhas and their families settling in the UK, particularly in Aldershot and Folkestone.

Current Structure

Today, the Brigade of Gurkhas comprises two infantry battalions (1st and 2nd Royal Gurkha Rifles), the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers, Queen’s Gurkha Signals, Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, and a Gurkha Staff and Personnel Support Company. Approximately 3,000 Gurkhas serve in the British Army, based primarily at British Forces Brunei and various UK garrisons.

Recruitment takes place annually in Nepal, where tens of thousands of young men compete for approximately 200 places. The selection process — including the famous doko race (carrying 25kg in a wicker basket uphill over a gruelling mountain course) — is one of the toughest military selections in the world. The competition reflects both the honour of Gurkha service and the economic opportunities it provides.

Collecting Gurkha Militaria

Popular areas include:

• Kukris — from common WW2 MkII patterns (£40–80) to Victorian silver-mounted officers’ kukris (£300+). Named and dated kukris, especially those with regimental markings, are most desirable.
• Cap badges — each Gurkha regiment has its own badge; pre-1947 examples to disbanded regiments (such as the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, and 9th Gurkha Rifles) are scarce and sought after.
• Medal groups — Gurkha medal groups, especially those with gallantry awards, are highly valued. Named Indian General Service Medals with Gurkha regiment naming are sought after. A WW2 group with Burma Star to a named Gurkha carries a premium.
• Shoulder titles — “2 G.R.”, “6 G.R.”, etc. — brass and anodised patterns.
• Photographs and documents — pre-1947 regimental photographs showing Gurkha units in the field are both historically significant and collectible.

The Gurkha Ethos

The Gurkhas have a distinctive martial culture that underpins their reputation. The concept of izzat — honour, reputation, and self-respect — drives Gurkha soldiers to extraordinary feats. Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, former Chief of the Indian Army Staff, famously said: “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha.”

The Dashain festival, celebrated in October, is the most important event in the Gurkha calendar. In military service, Dashain involves traditional ceremonies including the sacrifice of animals (goats and buffalo), feasting, and sporting competitions. The festival reinforces the bonds of unit cohesion and cultural identity that are central to Gurkha military effectiveness.

Each Gurkha battalion maintains a Pandit (Hindu priest) and a Gurkha Major — the senior Gurkha officer who advises the commanding officer on Nepalese customs, welfare, and traditions. The Gurkha Major holds a unique position: he is the bridge between two cultures, ensuring that the British chain of command understands and respects Gurkha traditions while maintaining military discipline.

Gurkha Training and Selection

The annual recruitment process in Nepal is legendary for its difficulty. Approximately 25,000 young Nepalese men apply each year for around 200 places. Regional selection involves a series of physical tests, with the culmination being the doko race: carrying 25kg of rocks in a traditional Nepalese basket up a steep hill — typically 4.2km with an altitude gain of 600m — in under 46 minutes. Those who pass then proceed to the Central Selection in Pokhara, where they face further physical tests, medical examinations, and educational assessments.

Successful recruits travel to the UK for 39 weeks of training at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, where they learn English alongside military skills. The Gurkha Company at Catterick maintains the distinctive traditions and standards that have characterised Gurkha training since the 19th century.

Sources

• Parker, John. The Gurkhas: The Inside Story of the World’s Most Feared Soldiers. Headline, 1999.
• Cross, J.P. & Gurung, Buddhiman. Gurkhas at War. Greenhill Books, 2002.
• Bellamy, Chris. The Gurkhas: Special Force. John Murray, 2011.
• The Gurkha Museum, Peninsula Barracks, Winchester. thegurkhamuseum.co.uk
• Ministry of Defence. “Brigade of Gurkhas.” army.mod.uk